What is Occupational Therapy for Children?

Helping Children Build Functional Capacity for Everyday Life

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps children build their functional capacity—their ability to participate confidently in everyday life.

This includes activities such as:

• Getting dressed

• Eating meals

• Playing

• Learning at school

• Interacting with others

When a child finds these everyday tasks challenging, an Occupational Therapist works with them to develop the skills needed to function more independently and successfully in daily life.

What Do We Mean by “Functional Capacity”?

Functional capacity refers to your child’s ability to:

• Manage daily routines

• Participate at home, school, and in the community

• Build independence over time

Rather than focusing only on a diagnosis, Occupational Therapy focuses on:

What your child needs to be able to do—and how we can support them to do it.

What Does a Paediatric Occupational Therapist Do?

A paediatric Occupational Therapist assesses how your child is functioning across real-life environments.

We look at:

• What your child can do today

• What they find challenging

• What skills need to be developed to improve independence

From there, we develop a structured, personalised approach to support meaningful progress.

How We Develop a Therapy Plan

Following assessment, we develop a tailored therapy plan focused on improving your child’s functional capacity in everyday environments.

We use:

• Standardised assessment tools to provide objective insight into your child’s current level of functioning

• Structured goal-setting frameworks, helping families—particularly those with children with disabilities or autism—identify, prioritise, and clearly communicate meaningful goals

• Collaborative planning with key stakeholders, including educators, medical professionals, and other allied health providers

This ensures therapy is:

• Evidence-based

• Goal-directed

• Consistent across home, school, and community settings

Supporting your child to make meaningful, real-world progress over time.

What Skills Does Occupational Therapy Help Develop?

Occupational Therapy supports functional capacity development across key areas:

How Does Occupational Therapy Improve Functional Capacity?

Therapy is designed to build skills that transfer into everyday life.

At Paediatric Potentials OT, sessions may include:

• Play-based therapy

• Real-life task practice (e.g. cooking, school tasks)

• Sensory-based strategies

• Structured skill development

A Parent Coaching Approach

We work closely with parents and caregivers to:

• Provide practical strategies

• Support carryover into daily routines

• Build confidence in supporting your child

This ensures your child’s functional capacity improves not just in sessions—but in real life.

How Do I Know if My Child May Benefit from OT?

Your child may benefit from Occupational Therapy if they experience challenges with:

• Independence in daily tasks

• Coordination or motor skills

• Sensory sensitivities

• Emotional regulation

• Attention and learning

• Social interaction

• School readiness

These are all areas related to functional capacity.

What Conditions Can OT Support?

Occupational Therapy supports children with a wide range of developmental needs, including:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• ADHD

• Developmental delay

• Dyspraxia / DCD

• Dysgraphia

• Cerebral palsy

• Genetic conditions

• Physical impairments

We also support children without a formal diagnosis who are experiencing functional challenges.

What Happens at an OT Assessment?

An initial assessment helps us understand your child’s needs and develop a clear plan.

This may include:

• Observing your child during play and structured tasks

• Discussing your concerns and goals

• Using standardised assessment tools (where appropriate)

Following the assessment, we provide:

• A summary of findings

• Clear therapy goals

• Recommendations for next steps

NDIS and Functional Capacity

The NDIS is increasingly focused on functional capacity, rather than diagnosis when determining:

• Eligibility

• Funding levels

• Ongoing support needs

At Paediatric Potentials OT:

• We assess and support functional capacity

• We provide reports aligned with NDIS requirements

• We are a registered NDIS provider

Why Choose Paediatric Potentials OT?

• Team of 20+ Occupational Therapists

• 750sqm purpose-built clinic in Upper Mount Gravatt

• Strong focus on real-life outcomes

• Parent coaching approach

• Registered NDIS provider

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Occupational Therapy

Is Your Child Finding Everyday Tasks Challenging?

Every child develops at their own pace—but some challenges may indicate your child could benefit from additional support.

Common Signs to Look Out For

Get Started

If you’re unsure about your child’s development, we can help you understand their current functional capacity and what support may be beneficial. Give one of our friendly team a call and start the conversation today.